AIH Top Plant

AIH is launching an annual awards program in 2024 highlighting the best garden plants for each year.

Introducing…

Other countries already hold ‘Plant of the Year’ awards but the Australian Institute of Horticulture can do better by selecting award winner specimens based on climate zones (this is a big country with diverse climate types) and by having AIH members nominate and judge the entries.

The awards will highlight AIH as the source for excellence in determining the best plants for home gardeners. The public will see AIH as a trusted source of information and advice where professionals work together to help the gardening public.

The awards will highlight the value of AIH to other industry sections such as the nursery (production, wholesale, retail), landscapers, designers, councils and horticultural media.

Nomination Form

More information about this Process

Who can Nominate a Plant for the Awards?
Only AIH members (full, retired) who live in the respective climate zone.
Each member is to nominate two (2) plants.
Members cannot nominate specific plant varieties/cultivars/hybrids if they have a financial or personal relationship with the business that bred, grows or promotes it.
Who can Judge the Awards?
Only AIH members (full, retired) who live in the respective climate zone.
 Up to three(3) judges per climate zone.
Judges decision is final.
Judges decision is based on submissions.
Award can only be given in a climate zone where sufficient nominations are received.
Why the Koppen Map Zones?

AIH supports science-based research and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Koppen Map Zones – the 6 major classes
Equatorial
Tropical
Subtropical
Desert
Grassland
Temperate

For simplicity in 2024, we will be calling for nominations in the following zones:

Tropical (which covers Tropical and Equatorial)
Subtropical
Dry (which covers Desert and Grassland)
Temperate
Nomination Form
Key Dates
September
Call out for Nominations, send out email with link to online form.
5pm 29 SEPTEMBER – NEW EXTENDED Nominations due date deadline.
Adjudicator organises Nominations to go to judges of each climate zone.
October
Early October – Data back from judges to Adjudicator and start reviewing results
Mid October (embargo) 
Results to AIH National Committee for endorsement
Begin creating media
Begin website content
Awards night (25th October 2024) & release media
Nomination Form